Eddington Mduba v. Benedictine Hospital

[52 A.D.2d 450 Page 451] This is a wrongful death action to recover for negligence against the defendant hospital. The decedent was injured in an automobile accident at 8:20 p.m. on February 6, 1971 and was admitted to defendant's emergency room at 9:15 p.m. Dr. Bitash was covering the emergency room but the record does not disclose what type of treatment, if any, was administered to the decedent by him. At 9:40 p.m. decedent was examined by her own physician, Dr. Diacovo. At 10:15 p.m. he unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a blood sample from decedent for typing and cross matching. About 10:45 p.m., a sample of blood was obtained by the attending anesthesiologist, and at approximately 11:00 p.m. an operation was commenced. Blood was administered to the patient for the first time at 12:10 a.m. but she died at 1:45 a.m.